Exploration

The Life of John Ledyard the American Traveller; comprising Selections from His Journals and Correspondence. – Jared Sparks – First edition 1828

First edition of this scarce work published by Henry Colburn, London in 1828.

Octavo, 428 pages, bound in green cloth binding with gilt titles and library call no to spine. New ends but front free endpaper retained – manuscript ownership note George Stokes, Hean Castle – August 31, 1842. Despite the binding the interior is as clean and crisp, the odd spot but really very good if not better.

America’s first true explorer who was with James Cook on his third fateful voyage to the Pacific, Northwest Coast of America, Alaska and Hawaii. Ledyard subsequently attempted to reach America by traversing Russia. He died whilst exploring the Nile.

Ledyard did not publish during is foreshortened life. After his death, his journals and papers and other materials were collected by his relative Dr Isaac Ledyard. That was a far as he got, and it was down to Jared Sparks to edit and arrange the narrative for publication. Little is changed in the journals etc the words are those of the traveller explorer.

Over fifty pages are devoted to Cook’s voyage. Of particular interest is that Ledyard was in the landing party with Cook at Kearakekua [Kealakekua] Bay, Hawaii “and was near his person’ when Cook was slain. His narrative of the events and his views on Cook’s approach to the encounter with the natives are unique. Many other interesting elements … such as organising a party to climb Hawaii’s highest mountain (near 14,000 feet) Mouna Roa … give a clue to the explorer he became.

His travels in Siberia were extensive, completing some lengthy stretches by canoe … eventually politics and confusion came into play, and he was arrested by order of the Empress Catherine the Great. He survived … but not the Nile … the plans for which he part formulated with Joseph Banks in London. He died in Cairo after having taken too much vitriolic (sulphuric) acid seemingly to deal with heartburn!

Ledyard’s Travels Important Cook Content and More

$390.00

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Roald Amundsen’s Journey in Flight – From Pole to Pole – Garth Cameron.

Hard to find in Australia possibly because of the unusual publisher Skyhorse Publishing albeit first American 2014 having been published by the equally difficult to find Pen and Sword, England version of the previous year.

Octavo, 199 pages, illustrated throughout, maps and from original photographs. Useful although sometimes patronising glossary of terms [we do know what an aircraft is]. Very good if not fine copy.

Amundsen’s aviation involvement and it was extensive and, given the period, rather experimental. He was lost through it in the end … his list of life achievements is undoubtedly heroic – we find this side of him all that more interesting.

The writer a New Zealander with a love of flying – powered and gliding produces a well researched book – the presentation has a hint of a self-published style likely because of then Skyhorse – but we like it.

Amundsen in the air – the cold air that is – a significant story and one that was his end.

$35.00

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The Sextant Simplified [A Practical Explanation of the Use of the Sextant at Sea] – Oswald Watts

A later edition of this “go to” book on the sextant published by Thomas Reed, Sunderland etc in 1969.

Octavo, 100 pages, many diagrams and images to explain the use of the instrument as one would expect. A near fine copy.

First glance the sextant is a pretty simple and straightforward device. This book take one from the simple “take and angle” understanding to the more complex use and correction required have a solid and sure position – quite useful the sure bit when facing reefs and rock in previously new territory.

Sextant explained – enough to make you a master mariner – fill up the bathtub and go for it!

$35.00

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Macquarie Island and its Future – Sir Douglas Mawson – 1922

A scarce offprint from the Royal Society of Tasmania Paper and Proceedings printed by “The Mercury”, Hobart and published in December 1922.

Original wrapper, 54 pages with seven plates including a full map of the Island. University stamp of Adelaide University School of Geology where Mawson was Professor of Geology at the time of this publication – so he likely had his hands on this copy. It is clearly marked “duplicate” so we feel it has honestly got into the private ownership at some time.

Macquarie Island of course had been central as a chosen station for the Mawson led Australasian Antarctic Expedition 1911-1914. The first radio connection with the Antarctic was achieved … and quite a bit else.

Mawson read his report in an abbreviated form at the 12thJune meeting of the Society that year.

Scarce Mawson Item – Macquarie Island – his views to its future.

SO SORRY SOLD

$120.00

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Elliot Brothers – Strand London – Prismatic Compass – c1880

A working Victorian prismatic compass by the esteemed Elliot Brothers.

Constructed of blackened brass, 9.5cm in diameter, weight 160 gm. Engraved on the sighting arm “Elliot Bros. 449 Strand London”. Also, likely first owners name engraved on the rear “Herbert J Dauberry”. The sighting arm still contains its “horsehair” and lifts and stays in the vertical position. The hinged prism can be moved to its operating position over the base plate. With the compass held steady and flat a notch on the prism body is aligned with the horsehair on the arm. A compass reading can be taken through the magnified prism lens, the compass can be held in position via a locking pin under the arm. The compass rotates freely, and the lead glass is unusually free of scratches. Really quite a special object.

William Elliot founded his business at Gray’s Inn, London in 1800. He started by making fine drawing instruments. By 1807 he had moved to High Holborn and by 1816 was making telescope and barometers. In 1830 he moved to 56 The Strand and his sons joined the partnership. They began making surveying instruments particularly for the fast-developing railway industry. In 1853 Willam died, and the sons continued as Elliot Brothers. They moved to larger premises at 449 The Strand sometime around 1860 and were there until another move to St Martin’s Lane circa 1890 – so we can have a good stab at the date of manufacture.

The business continued to flourish and eventually became part of G.E.C. and then Siemens.

Quality Prismatic Compass – by Distinguished Elliot Bros.

$160.00

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Race to the South Pole – Roald Amundsen

Published in 2007 by White Star. This is Roald Amundsen’s account of the achievement of the South Pole … from the Murray translation of the first English.

Here modernised and updated with a few recent images as well as some from that day. Map albeit significantly reduced in scale from the original.

Thick octavo, 636 pages, pictorial boards no separate wrapper as issued. A solid production tightly bound.

A good version of this most important account and not one that will bust your pocket.

South Pole achieved by the Amundsen led team.

$30.00

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The Life of John Ledyard the American Traveller; comprising Selections from His Journals and Correspondence. – Jared Sparks – First edition 1828

Roald Amundsen’s Journey in Flight – From Pole to Pole – Garth Cameron.

The Sextant Simplified [A Practical Explanation of the Use of the Sextant at Sea] – Oswald Watts

Macquarie Island and its Future – Sir Douglas Mawson – 1922

Elliot Brothers – Strand London – Prismatic Compass – c1880

Race to the South Pole – Roald Amundsen

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